Is it normal my friend might be fired for being pregnant?

31% Normal
11 Comments

So my friend has worked at this office building for 5 maybe 6 years now and she's on bed rest for her pregnancy with twins. The doctor says she needs to be on bed rest for the rest of her pregnancy due to a high risk which is 4 1/2 months and she's been on it for 1 of the 4 1/2 months.

Her employer let her take 6 weeks off but are now telling her they may have to replace her if she doesn't come back. She explained to them that she is literally at a high risk and it is essential to her health and the baby that she stays on bed rest. She even gave them a doctor's note but they said they can't accept that or do anything about it. Yesterday she called me in tears saying her employer is extending her time to one more month but will let her go if she doesn't return after that. He is being so unprofessional about this as yes she is an important part of the company but they could easily replace her temporarily! My friend has had 3 miscarriages before this pregnancy and this one seems to be doing the best. She is already upset about being on bedrest and now she has the stress of losing her job. She is the bread winner in her family as well as her husband only makes half the amount she does so it's bad enough America is one of the only countries that doesn't allow any sort of exception/paid leave.

IIN?

Voting Results
31% Normal
Based on 49 votes (15 yes)
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Comments ( 11 )
  • royalewitcheese
    9 years ago

    It might be the norm nowadays to loose your job over pregnancy but in my opinion its a disgrace my mum raised 3 of us alone an still managed to mantain a career.
    Its just the world we live in so unfair

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  • Imnotembarrased
    9 years ago

    no its illeagal

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  • RoseIsabella
    9 years ago

    Tell your friend that it's time for her to call a lawyer.

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    • thegypsysailor
      9 years ago

      Yeah, that's the way to show company loyalty! Your friend has to consider the company, too. If what she does there isn't important, then she wouldn't have a job to begin with, so they are probably being as nice as they can be, covering for her as much as they can, without replacing her.
      Suing will only cost her every bit of good will at the company, so even if she wins, she will be hated and a pariah at work. It just won't be worth it.

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      • peaceandlovebro
        9 years ago

        I usually like most of your posts but don't care for this one. I think they're being harsh threatening her like that and telling her to come in to keep her job. When you're on bedrest, you're on bedrest. They could have been more respecting at the very least and maybe they could hire a temp.

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        • thegypsysailor
          9 years ago

          So, you'd suggest what? 4 months before the baby is born and how much time after? Train someone to do her job, and then dump that person? I'm not unsympathetic, but it is a business and I really believe that there has to be some limit to how much time a company must hold a job open. Complications such as this just aren't what the laws are written for.
          If she ever is ready to go back too work (and that could be a pretty big if, at this point), I'm sure if she was a good employee, the company will do everything it can to rehire her, or help her find another job.

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  • KeepsakeDoll
    9 years ago

    It's just business.

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  • Someweirdmofo
    9 years ago

    While shes gone someone has to fill her spot. They cant just leave a spot empty.

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  • davesumba
    9 years ago

    Your friend sounds like a sissy looking for any excuse to get off work. If she can't work up to the day she's due, then she deserves to get fired. Angela Martin didn't even need maternity leave after she had her baby.

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    • peaceandlovebro
      9 years ago

      What are you talking about bro? My wife was on bedrest and 3/5 women need bedrest or they could miscarriage..

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      • thegypsysailor
        9 years ago

        If 3/5 of women must be on bed rest in the US during pregnancy, then there is something very, very wrong. Either the Dr's are covering their asses or the species is in serious trouble.

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